REPORT BY ICRC ON MISTREATMENT OF CIVILIANS IN VARES

ZAGREB, Nov 1 (Hina) - According to the reports by the delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), civilians in Vares area (Central Bosnia) are submitted to "systematic harassment and exactions; during the last days already thousands of civilians have been forced to flee from their homes", stated ICRC in Zagreb on Sunday. "The ICRC delegates are once more witnessing blatant violations of the basic principles of International Humanitarian Law", said the report. The report further read: "The situation in Vares appears chaotic. Civilians are fleeing looting, death threats and mistreatment and are desperately searching for protection. ICRC delegates on the spot have noted repeated allegations of civilians and prisoners being summarily executed during and after the fighting. On the 28 October ICRC delegates could start registering 225 detainees in two different detention places in Vares, but despite various interventions, the ICRC does still not have access to all the alleged detainees. Highly preoccupied by the fate of the civilian population in the Vares area, the ICRC appeals to the leaders of the Bosnian Croat authorities and of the Army of Bosnia-Herzegovina to put an immediate end to the current devastating situation. The ICRC urges both authorities to ensure that each combatant respect the civilian population, the wounded and the detainees. Furthermore, the ICRC asks for unrestricted access to all persons protected by the International Humanitarian Law," said the ICRC report. (end) jt 011158 MET nov 93